Agriculture minister faces BAU students’ ire

BHAGALPUR: The students of by Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) staged a dharna at the main gate and prevented state agriculture minister Prem Kumar from entering the campus on the 9th foundation day celebrations of the university on Monday. The protesters alleged that BAU students were being ignored while those from outside Bihar were getting preference in state government jobs. The students were also protesting over non-payment of scholarships to them. BAU vice-chancellor Ajoy Kumar Singh tried to control the students, but they continued with their protests against the minister. The BAU officials then escorted the minister to the university guesthouse from where he launched through remote control the traditional agriculture development plan at the Krishi Vikas Kendras (KVKs) in the state, Farm Machine Testing Centre for technical check and repair of farming tools and equipment, community radio station and weather information display board. The protesters alleged that the agriculture minister always ignored their problems and his visits were confined to meeting BAU authorities and attending functions only.

Prem, however, refuted the allegations and said, “The state government follows rules and regulations to fill up the vacancies. The allegations are baseless and all the vacancies are filled by following transparent procedures. A large number of jobs have been given to BAU students and efforts for further absorption of its passouts are being made,” he said. BAU officials refused to comment on the allegations made by the students. One BAU official said the students should not have protested as it might hamper the university’s progress besides bringing bad name to the institution.